The Gaza Strip could be on the brink of a new humanitarian crisis if supplies are not allowed in, authorities say, as Israel responds to the Hamas attacks.

On Monday, Israel declared a "complete siege" on the territory, saying electricity, food, fuel and water would be cut off.

According to residents, aid has not reached the enclave since Saturday.

BBC footage shows deserted streets covered with rubble from collapsed buildings following Israeli airstrikes.

Nearly 700 people have died in these attacks and thousands more are reported to have been injured.

The area is home to about 2.3 million people in total - 80% of whom rely on humanitarian aid mainly due to the ongoing hostilities with Israel.

 

It is ruled by Hamas militants but Israel controls the airspace and its shoreline. It also restricts who and what goods can cross its borders.

Neighbouring Egypt strictly controls what or who can pass through its border with Gaza too.

• Gaza hospital deluged as Israel retaliates with strikes
• Explained: What is Hamas, what is happening in Israel and the Gaza Strip and other questions

Since the attacks began on Saturday morning, Israel has stopped all supplies entering Gaza, including food and medicine.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said more than a dozen healthcare workers had been killed or injured and at least seven medical centres had been damaged.

Meanwhile, many people are currently without electricity and internet, and could soon be out of essential food and water supplies.

 

FULL STORY

 

 

 

I’m sure they can’t be surprised obviously Israel would blockade them heck I wouldent be the least bit surprised if they go into the West Bank in strength and hunt those terrorist down one by one to bad for the hostages 

1 hour ago, Tug said:

I’m sure they can’t be surprised obviously Israel would blockade them heck I wouldent be the least bit surprised if they go into the West Bank in strength and hunt those terrorist down one by one to bad for the hostages 

I'm sure your beloved Biden is going to inflame the situation by sending support, arms and troops to Israel. 

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Neighbouring Egypt strictly controls what or who can pass through its border with Gaza too.

Egypt also is responsible for the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza by not letting them flee as refugees.

Shame on them.

23 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I'm sure your beloved Biden is going to inflame the situation by sending support, arms and troops to Israel. 

I'm waiting for american planes to join in the bombing, I hope I'm wrong.

12 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'm waiting for american planes to join in the bombing, I hope I'm wrong.

You’re wrong.

 

Again.

15 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Egypt also is responsible for the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza by not letting them flee as refugees.

Shame on them.

And Hamas?

 

Undertaking a terrorist attacking on Israeli civilians that they absolutely knew would result in an Israeli military response.

 

What responsibility do you assign to Hamas?

36 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Undertaking a terrorist attacking on Israeli civilians that they absolutely knew would result in an Israeli military response.

Yes, Hamas must have known that there would be severe retaliation, possibly multiplied many times over to that which they initiated, so am puzzled as to why they did it.

 

On the other hand, the Palestinians have been treated badly for decades, sold out by the British after they fought against the Turks, then sold out again in the 1947 "United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine" by mainly the US and Britain, then in the 1948 Nakba, or the ethnic cleansing of Palestine where an estimated 15,000 Palestinians were killed, including in dozens of massacres.

 

The Zionist movement captured 78 percent of historic Palestine. The remaining 22 percent was divided into what are now the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip.

When a race of people is subjugated and mistreated over decades, then something is bound to give, therefore Hamas doing what they did.

I'm not saying that I agree with what they are doing, just that the world has stood by whilst the Palestinians have been grossly mistreated.
 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Undertaking a terrorist attacking on Israeli civilians that they absolutely knew would result in an Israeli military response.

Of course, they know it!

And it may well be part of the plan. An Israeli attack would further antagonize public opinions, both inside and outside Palestinian territories, to the benefit of extremist players such as Hamas.

There is also a faction inside Hamas thinking that instead of managing an open air prison on behalf of Israel, they'd better leave Israel manage the mess itself.

Do the Israeli expect a medal for their encroachment as well as declaring more than 1'000 UN resolutions as toilet tissue paper? 

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

Yes, Hamas must have known that there would be severe retaliation, possibly multiplied many times over to that which they initiated, so am puzzled as to why they did it.

 

On the other hand, the Palestinians have been treated badly for decades, sold out by the British after they fought against the Turks, then sold out again in the 1947 "United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine" by mainly the US and Britain, then in the 1948 Nakba, or the ethnic cleansing of Palestine where an estimated 15,000 Palestinians were killed, including in dozens of massacres.

 

The Zionist movement captured 78 percent of historic Palestine. The remaining 22 percent was divided into what are now the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip.

When a race of people is subjugated and mistreated over decades, then something is bound to give, therefore Hamas doing what they did.

I'm not saying that I agree with what they are doing, just that the world has stood by whilst the Palestinians have been grossly mistreated.
 

Absolutely nothing justifies the atrocities inflicted by Hamas on innocent people in this attack.

 

Nor is there any justification for taking hostages.

 

Nor is there any justification for threatening to execute hostages in retaliation for anything.

 

These are obscenities and they are Hamas’ obscenities.

 

Let me know if that’s not clear.

Just read where a young, unarmed Israeli girl was stripped down to her panties, raped and paraded around Gaza.

If Gaza was leveled, it would be deserved.

1 minute ago, koolkarl said:

Just read where a young, unarmed Israeli girl was stripped down to her panties, raped and paraded around Gaza.

If Gaza was leveled, it would be deserved.

Simple statistics tell us there's a bunch of 6 year old Palestinian kids living in Gaza.  Do they deserve to be killed?  What about unarmed teenage Palestinian girls?

 

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

Simple statistics tell us there's a bunch of 6 year old Palestinian kids living in Gaza.  Do they deserve to be killed?  What about unarmed teenage Palestinian girls?

 

 

So much concern for Palestinian civilians. Much more that their own leadership displays. Much more than expressed toward Israeli civilians.

3 minutes ago, Morch said:

So much concern for Palestinian civilians. Much more that their own leadership displays. Much more than expressed toward Israeli civilians.

I'd like to think we're better than that.   Because if we're not, what's the point?

 

4 minutes ago, impulse said:

Simple statistics tell us there's a bunch of 6 year old Palestinian kids living in Gaza.  Do they deserve to be killed?  What about unarmed teenage Palestinian girls?

 

Oh no, of course not. Their father and mother could be out murdering and kidnapping mothers and other people's children, but their own kids need to be protected. Is that your argument?

Just now, impulse said:

I'd like to think we're better than that.   Because if we're not, what's the point?

 

That's all very well, but still not an answer as how to actually deal with the current situation. Also, when demands to be 'better than that' are leveled at only one of the sides, it's kinda lame. And obvious.

2 minutes ago, Trippy said:

Oh no, of course not. Their father and mother could be out murdering and kidnapping mothers and other people's children, but their own kids need to be protected. Is that your argument?

No.  My argument is that there are over 2 million people living in Gaza.  Over 99% of them didn't kill anyone this week. The ones that did, need to be eradicated.  The ones who armed and supported them as well. 

 

But not the vast majority, who have absolutely no say in what happens.  They're just living as best they can, mostly permanent residents of refugee camps.  But that's another topic.

 

13 minutes ago, impulse said:

No.  My argument is that there are over 2 million people living in Gaza.  Over 99% of them didn't kill anyone this week. The ones that did, need to be eradicated.  The ones who armed and supported them as well. 

 

But not the vast majority, who have absolutely no say in what happens.  They're just living as best they can, mostly permanent residents of refugee camps.  But that's another topic.

 

I see your point and agree with you. That's the problem with terrorist attacks, so many innocents are caught up in it. At least with 2 armies fighting the soldiers have uniforms. 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Absolutely nothing justifies the atrocities inflicted by Hamas on innocent people in this attack.

 

Nor is there any justification for taking hostages.

 

Nor is there any justification for threatening to execute hostages in retaliation for anything.

 

These are obscenities and they are Hamas’ obscenities.

 

Let me know if that’s not clear.

You reap what you sow................"the 1948 Nakba, or the ethnic cleansing of Palestine where an estimated 15,000 Palestinians were killed, including in dozens of massacres". 

 

Not saying it is right, but both sides are guilty of the massacre of innocents.

1 minute ago, xylophone said:

You reap what you sow................"the 1948 Nakba, or the ethnic cleansing of Palestine where an estimated 15,000 Palestinians were killed, including in dozens of massacres". 

 

Not saying it is right, but both sides are guilty of the massacre of innocents.

By that logic, Hamas and the Palestinian got no right to complain now (see the headline, and op).

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'm waiting for american planes to join in the bombing, I hope I'm wrong.

no we use unmarked drones purchased from Turkey.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

No.  My argument is that there are over 2 million people living in Gaza.  Over 99% of them didn't kill anyone this week. The ones that did, need to be eradicated.  The ones who armed and supported them as well. 

 

But not the vast majority, who have absolutely no say in what happens.  They're just living as best they can, mostly permanent residents of refugee camps.  But that's another topic.

 

Perhaps you should take that up with Hamas, it is after all Hamas that launched their obscene terrorist attacking from within this highly populated area and it is Hamas that is now hiding amongst the people of this highly populated area.

 

Hamas absolutely knew Israel would respond with military actions.

 

Perhaps Hamas don’t care if Palestinians are killed, or rather hope that Palestinian are killed for some twisted propaganda objectives.

 

Or maybe Hamas didn’t even think to consider if Palestinians would wind up being killed.

 

Get back to us when Hamas have explained.

 

 

3 hours ago, xylophone said:

Yes, Hamas must have known that there would be severe retaliation, possibly multiplied many times over to that which they initiated, so am puzzled as to why they did it.

 

On the other hand, the Palestinians have been treated badly for decades, sold out by the British after they fought against the Turks, then sold out again in the 1947 "United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine" by mainly the US and Britain, then in the 1948 Nakba, or the ethnic cleansing of Palestine where an estimated 15,000 Palestinians were killed, including in dozens of massacres.

 

The Zionist movement captured 78 percent of historic Palestine. The remaining 22 percent was divided into what are now the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip.

When a race of people is subjugated and mistreated over decades, then something is bound to give, therefore Hamas doing what they did.

I'm not saying that I agree with what they are doing, just that the world has stood by whilst the Palestinians have been grossly mistreated.
 

Don't conflate the Gazans with the West Bank Palestinians. 

7 minutes ago, Danderman123 said:

Don't conflate the Gazans with the West Bank Palestinians. 

The population of the West Bank and Gaza is almost completely Palestinian Arab. The bulk of these are Sunni Muslims: 92 percent of West Bankers and 99 percent of Gazans, with the rest Christians. In addition to the Palestinian population, approximately 214,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and Gaza, according to the Foundation for Middle East Peace in Washington, D.C.

 

Not sure what your point was? 

3 hours ago, candide said:

Of course, they know it!

And it may well be part of the plan. An Israeli attack would further antagonize public opinions, both inside and outside Palestinian territories, to the benefit of extremist players such as Hamas.

There is also a faction inside Hamas thinking that instead of managing an open air prison on behalf of Israel, they'd better leave Israel manage the mess itself.

after Hamas' actions, it will be difficult to find people that support the massacre of civilian people in their homes, foreign workers at their work or music festival goers.

 

yes, Palestinians were treated badly.

But what's missing on the Palestinian side is the conditions for long lasting peace and stability.

What does Palestine need to become a stable country, content with its borders ? What will it take ?

As far as I understood the Palestine conflict, they don't even have leaders who agree on what they want besides kicking Israel out of Israel.

4 hours ago, xylophone said:

Yes, Hamas must have known that there would be severe retaliation, possibly multiplied many times over to that which they initiated, so am puzzled as to why they did it.

That's why I wrote in another thread "there must be more to the story"

 

I wonder if Hamas wants to provoke some kind of casus belli, if Israel goes hard on Gaza and Hamas, which countries would intervene to defend Palestinians ?

7 minutes ago, tgw said:

That's why I wrote in another thread "there must be more to the story"

 

I wonder if Hamas wants to provoke some kind of casus belli, if Israel goes hard on Gaza and Hamas, which countries would intervene to defend Palestinians ?

That's a possible scenario tgw, but until we know for certain, it's still a bit of a mystery.

 

I notice that I got a bit of pushback to my post, however I wasn't trying to defend any actions from any side, other than to point out that both sides are culpable and capable of inflicting horrific injuries on each other, by whichever means they are perpetrated.

20 minutes ago, tgw said:

after Hamas' actions, it will be difficult to find people that support the massacre of civilian people in their homes, foreign workers at their work or music festival goers.

 

yes, Palestinians were treated badly.

But what's missing on the Palestinian side is the conditions for long lasting peace and stability.

What does Palestine need to become a stable country, content with its borders ? What will it take ?

As far as I understood the Palestine conflict, they don't even have leaders who agree on what they want besides kicking Israel out of Israel.

You are right about public opinion in Western countries, probably not in Arab or Muslim countries.

For reasons I evoked, they have laid à kind of trop, and Israeli authorities are also aware of it

Hamas is certainly not looking for a solution. Unlike Fatah, they don't even want a two States solution. As other extremists organisations, they are more looking for exacerbing the conflict and justifying their existence 

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Egypt also is responsible for the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza by not letting them flee as refugees.

Shame on them.

Shame on Egypt?

 

How about shame on the Israeli governments over the decades for all their attempts at genocide and the absolutely complete control over a population who are fighting to regain what they once had. their own country which was, and still is, being stolen from them on a daily basis. 

 

An even bigger shame on the western countries who support Israel and have done for decades.

 

And an even bigger shame on the warmongering governments of Israel for doing it coldly, deliberately and with malice aforethought

 

Every living member of the Knesset should stand before the international court in the Hague, where the Germans stood in the courtroom at Nuremberg, and be accused of war crimes and genocide.